When children and adolescents are suffering from mental illness, behavioral health concerns, or substance abuse issues, the treatment they receive to overcome these problems must be introduced in a manner that is different than how it is addressed with adults. Education and scholastic achievement is essential to youth development and, as a result, should not be ignored as children and adolescents enter into treatment to address their psychological, emotional, and/or behavioral concerns. Additionally, the therapeutic interventions that are used when treating children and adolescents must meet them where they are at developmentally.
Keeping these things in mind, Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s network of world-renowned treatment providers offer specialized programming options for young people who are in need of all-encompassing care that is tailored to address their problems from the standpoint of their individual stages in life. From day treatment programs to wilderness therapy programs, the options available through Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare are designed to help maximize each child and adolescent’s potential for achieving recovery success.
Day Treatment Programs
Day treatment programs are a beneficial programming option for children and adolescents who are in need of highly structured care as they work to overcome symptoms of behavioral and/or mental health concerns, or as they work to break free from addictions to drugs and/or alcohol. These day treatment programs offer youth the ability to participate in comprehensive therapeutic treatment interventions, while also adhering to their academic responsibilities. Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s treatment centers that offer day treatment programs vary slightly in the structure of those programs, however, all are designed to elicit the most positive outcomes for each child who attends.
Specialized education services are at the core of these day treatment programs. Typically led by certified special education teachers and supported by various aides, the educational component of these treatment programs is designed and implemented in a way that allows any credits that are received while youth are in treatment to then be transferred back to their home schools upon completion of treatment.
Days are structured in such a way that young people attend academic classes while also having therapeutic interventions intertwined throughout the duration of the day. For example, individual therapy sessions may occur a couple of times each week, as indicated by each child’s individualized treatment plan, nestled in between academic classes. Additionally, group therapy sessions can occur at random points throughout the day. These therapeutic interventions not only allow youth to have a break from their educational responsibilities, but also benefits them in having an outlet to process through how they are handling the day’s and week’s events. In addition, recreational and experiential therapies are often included into the day’s programming, which allows young people to have an opportunity to relax and take part in structured activities that are aimed at helping them receive care for their minds, bodies, and spirits.
Wilderness Therapy Programs
Wilderness therapy programs offer a unique and life-changing experience for children and adolescents who are in need of treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns or chemical dependency issues, yet who do not respond positively to more traditional treatment interventions. Many young people resist such interventions, which makes it hard for them to understand the gravity of the concerns they are dealing with. By taking part in a wilderness therapy program, however, youth are afforded a unique approach to care; an approach that has proven effectiveness in engaging young people and helping them successfully navigate their own path to recovery.
Wilderness programs provide youth with the opportunity to spend time in nature, learning skills needed for survival, while learning to test their own inner strength. Amid the landscape, young people also work with trained mental health professionals as they process through their experiences and learn to confront the struggles that they are facing.
During their time in one of Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s wilderness therapy programs, youth will have the opportunity to engage in various evidenced-based therapeutic interventions, including individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and experiential therapy. All interventions are addressed in each child or adolescent’s individualized treatment plan so as to ensure that all of his or her needs are appropriately met.
The professionals that comprise the staff in Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s day treatment programs and wilderness therapy programs have specialized training in working with children and adolescents, and are dedicated to giving young people the attention they need in order to achieve their recovery goals. Working in collaboration with other members of treatment teams, with the child’s parents or guardians, and with the youth him or herself, the care offered in these programs is tailored to address the issues that are pertinent to the youth and the stage of life that he or she is in.
At Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare, we place a premium on providing young people will the most well-rounded approach to treatment possible. Knowing that today’s children are society’s future, the staff at all of Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s treatment centers maintain a steadfast approach to ensuring that care is delivered in a warm, comfortable, and nurturing environment; an environment that is fully conducive to lasting healing and recovery.
If a young person in your life could benefit from the life-changing care offered through Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s wilderness therapy programs or day treatment programs, please reach out to one of our providers today.